Violent crime, such as robbery, murder, and sexual assault, is common. The wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illicit drugs, and a weak criminal justice system contribute to the high level of criminality.

All visitors to the Dominican Republic are charged a $10 tourist fee that is incorporated into airline charges. A tourist card is electronically issued and is valid for one year from the date of issue. Cruise passengers must obtain a tourist card if they are disembarking for longer than 24 hours. Once used, the card allows for stays of up to 30 days but can be extended at the General Directorate of Migration in Santo Domingo. Any visitors wishing to extend their stay in the Dominican Republic should request an extension.

Contact the Migration Department in Santo Domingo for visa extension requests. Failure to request an extension will result in a fine at the airport upon departure. The fines range from approximately $55 USD for one month to as high as $1,555 USD for overstays of 10 years or more.

Exit Requirements for children: Minors (children under 18) who are citizens (including dual citizens) or legal residents of the Dominican Republic, if not accompanied by both parents or legal guardian(s), are required to present official proof of parental consent to travel. Please see the Dominican Migration Department's website for detailed instructions on the required procedure and options for online services.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions: Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for foreign residents of the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic has restrictions on granting residency to people with HIV/AIDS. Please verify information with the Dominican Republic’s Migration Department before you travel.

Yellow Fever Vaccine: Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is required for travelers entering the Dominican Republic from Brazil. Similar requirements may apply to those traveling from other countries with yellow fever risk.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local tourist police (CESTUR) at 911 or 809-200-3500 and contact the U.S. Embassy at 809-567-7775. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

Call 911 in case of emergency. 911 is not yet operational in some less populated areas of the country, in which case contact the tourist police (CESTUR) at 809-200-3500. You can also contact the tourist police through their mobile app.

provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution

help you find accommodation and arrange flights home

replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence should contact CESTUR (809-222-2026) the National Police (809-682-2151), and the U.S. Embassy for assistance.

Beaches and Resorts: Do not consume alcoholic beverages alone or with new acquaintances you may meet while in the Dominican Republic. Do not leave drinks unattended. Reported incidents associated with such activity include sexual assault targeting inebriated victims or the introduction of date rape drugs into beverages. U.S. citizens have become isolated and forced into compromising situations, sometimes by ingratiating resort employees. Call 911 and/or report any unwanted attention to hotel management. Insist that hotel management take immediate action to involve appropriate authorities such as contacting the police. In more remote areas of the country where 911 is not yet functional, see above for more detailed local emergency contact information.

Sexual Assault: Rape and sexual assault are serious problems throughout the Dominican Republic, including at resorts and hotels.

Notes for your safety:

U.S. citizens have been targeted with date rape drugs at private parties and resorts.

Sexual assault victims in the Dominican Republic should not expect the totality of assistance routinely offered in the United States. Shortcomings exist in the collection of evidence. Rape kits are often not available until the following morning and must be administered by the Dominican authorities, not hotel medical personnel. Counseling is unlikely to be offered to victims.

Victims often have to ask for medication to avoid transmission of STDs and to reduce the chances of pregnancy.

Prosecution of a rape case moves forward very slowly. Dominican law may require the victim to return to the Dominican Republic at some stages of the judicial process.

Security outside of the resort area, including beach areas, is unpredictable, especially at night.

If you are the victim of a sexual or other assault, contact the police and the Embassy as soon as possible. In a hotel, management should assist you with these communications. Insist they take immediate action by contacting the police.

In a resort, avoid secluded places or situations. Try to always be accompanied by someone you know, even on visits to the restroom. Do not leave resort property with someone you have just met.

Do not drink to excess in all-inclusive resorts. Know your limits and help your friends/travelling companions to remain safe.

Shout for help immediately if you feel threatened or encounter individuals who make you feel uncomfortable.

Report any suspicious activity, including excessive friendliness by hotel employees, to hotel management, the U.S. Embassy, and, as appropriate, local police. Insist upon immediate action if you feel the complaint is not being taken seriously.

Water Sports: Swimming areas at some popular beaches are subject to dangerous undertows. Many beaches lack lifeguards, warnings, or signs of unsafe conditions. U.S. citizens have died in the Dominican Republic due to these dangers. Check with your hotel, as resort managers usually offer current information on local swimming and surf conditions. Do not swim alone, particularly at isolated beaches.

Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

LGBTI Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in the Dominican Republic. Seeour LGBTI Travel Informationpage and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Dominican law provides for physical access for persons with disabilities to all new public and private buildings, but the authorities do not enforce this provision consistently. Sidewalks are generally in disrepair and pose a hazard to all pedestrians.

Real Estate: Property rights are irregularly enforced, and investors often encounter problems in receiving clear title to land. Consult a reputable attorney before signing documents or closing on any real estate transactions. Real estate investments by U.S. citizens have been subject to legal and physical takeover attempts. Absentee landlords and absentee owners of undeveloped land are particularly vulnerable. Consider purchasing title insurance.

Scams: Scammers often target elderly people by pretending to be a law enforcement official, an attorney, or a U.S. Embassy official, claiming that a loved one has been arrested overseas. The caller instructs the victim to wire money. Scammers sometimes impersonate family members, such as a scared grandchild. Contact the U.S. Embassy before wiring money to the Dominican Republic. When in doubt, try to contact your loved one directly.

While private hospitals in large cities are generally adequate, the quality of care can vary. Public hospitals and those outside large cities are not necessarily up to U.S. medical standards. You may need to pay a deposit or fees before receiving emergency medical treatment. See our website for additional information on medical assistance in the Dominican Republic.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most health care providers in the Dominican Republic only accept cash payments and these payments often must be made prior to treatment and/or before the patient’s hospital discharge. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of the Dominican Republic to ensure the medication is legal in the Dominican Republic. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

The following diseases are prevalent:

Chikungunya

Dengue

Yellow Fever

Zika

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Tap Water: Tap water is unsafe to drink. Bottled water and beverages are considered safe.

Cosmetic Surgery: Be aware of the risks associated with cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic. U.S. citizens have suffered serious complications or died during or after having cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic, including from complications and infections detected only after departure from the Dominican Republic. Verify the credentials and qualifications of any plastic surgeon and discuss post-surgical care and the detection and management of post-surgical infection prior to any procedure. See the CDC’s website on medical tourism for additional information.

Road Conditions and Safety: Driving conditions vary across the country. Drive defensively and with extreme caution.

Consider hiring a professional driver instead of driving yourself. You can hire licensed drivers who are familiar with local roads through local car rental agencies. In case of accidents, normally only the driver will be taken into custody.

Frequent hazards include:

other drivers not using headlights and/or taillights after dark

animals in the road in rural areas

missing manhole covers and large potholes

uneven road surfaces

scooters and motorcycles driving erratically and splitting lanes

driving on sidewalks or against traffic

intersections without stop signs

unregulated and congested traffic patterns

speeding or the running of stoplights

heavy urban traffic

Traffic Laws: Traffic laws are not enforced consistently.

After an accident causing serious injury or death, authorities will take the driver into custody, even if the driver is insured and appears to have not been at fault. Detentions frequently last until a judicial decision has been reached or until a waiver has been signed by the injured party.

Seat belts, and helmets for motorcyclists, are required by law. Violators may be fined. There are no child car seat laws. Police stop drivers using cell phones without a hands-free device.

Public Transportation: Public transportation includes a metro and public bus system as well as shared bus or van taxis known as guaguas. Guaguas run regular routes within urban areas and between towns in the countryside. Public buses and guaguas operating in the capital are not considered reliable or safe.

Avoid unregulated taxis, which lack basic safety features. Use a reputable, legitimate taxi service, either one recommended by your hotel or a well-known, vetted company. Rideshare services such as Uber are available in many parts of the country.
Private bus lines travel between large cities and to popular tourist destinations.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the Dominican Republic’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

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